Pediatrics congenital heart disease means that there is a physical abnormality with the heart which exists at birth. Each year over 32,000 children are born with this type of disorder, approximately a third of which will be in critical care for the first year of life.

Types of pediatrics Congenital Heart Diseases

There is a very wide range of different types and severity of heart diseases that can be present at birth. They include:

• Blood flow restrictions (Aortic Stenosis, Pulmonary Stenosis, Tetralogy of Fallot)
• Coarctation of the aorta
• Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return
• Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
• Septal Defects

What Causes These Heart Conditions?

Often time the doctors at pediatrics Anchorage are asked by parents why there child is born with a heart defect. Is it genetic? Did the mother do something wrong during her pregnancy? Unfortunately, the answer to this questions is never certain. Only in some cases can these defects be traced to health trends within the family or medications that the mother was taking while the baby was in utero.

How Do I know If My Child Has a CHD?

The symptoms of the pediatrics congenital heart disease depends of the type of disorder and may include difficulty breathing or a bluish-tone to the face and lips. However, in many cases no symptoms are present. Your child’s doctor, such as pediatrician Anchorage AK will do a full examination of your child at birth which will include listening to the heart and lungs and checking the skin for proper color. Some signs of heart disease are not apparent after birth, but may become more prominent as the child grows older and becomes more active. Therefore, regular follow-ups for wellness examinations are also necessary to insure that no previous signs or symptoms were missed.

For more information or to discuss your child’s wellness visit pediatrics Anchorage AK specialists Full Spectrum Pediatrics.